You’ve seen him styling Kim Kardashian’s hair or walking the red carpet with A-listers. Chris Appleton is basically the king of celebrity hair. But whenever his name pops up, there is one person who fans constantly search for: his "ex-wife" Katie Katon.
Except, here’s the thing. She wasn't actually his wife.
The internet is funny like that. It loves a label. If two people have kids and a long history, we just assume there was a wedding. In reality, Katie Katon and Chris Appleton shared a deeply intense, decade-long relationship that defied the usual Hollywood tropes, but they never officially tied the knot.
If you're hunting for the Appleton ex wife Katie Katon age and details on her life now, you’re in the right place. Honestly, her story is just as fascinating as his, mostly because she managed to stay grounded while he became one of the most famous stylists on the planet.
How Old is Katie Katon Really?
Let's get the numbers out of the way first because everyone is curious. Based on official UK business filings—where she is listed as Katie Jane Katon—she was born in June 1973.
As of early 2026, that makes Katie Katon 52 years old.
She is roughly ten years older than Chris, who was born in 1983. That age gap might surprise some, but when you look at their history, it makes total sense. They met when Chris was just a teenager working in a salon in Leicester, England. He was 13. She was already established in the hair world.
Think about that for a second. They grew up together in the industry. By the time Chris was 19, they were welcoming their first child.
The Relationship That Defined Chris Appleton’s Early Life
People always want to know "what happened." It’s human nature. But the story of Katie and Chris isn't a messy tabloid divorce. It’s more of a transformation.
✨ Don't miss: Amanda Seyfried Body Measurements: Why the Real Numbers Might Surprise You
They were together for about nine years. During that time, they weren't just a couple; they were a team. They lived in Leicester and ran a salon together. This wasn't some fleeting romance. It was a life.
- 2002: Their son, Billy, was born. Chris was only 19.
- 2004: Their daughter, Kitty-blu, arrived.
- 2009: The turning point.
When Chris was 26, he finally came out as gay. Imagine the weight of that. You have two toddlers, a successful business, and a partner you genuinely love. Chris has been very open in recent interviews, like on Jay Shetty’s podcast, about how terrifying that moment was. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to "break" the family.
But Katie? She was incredibly supportive. She basically helped him mourn the version of himself he was letting go of so he could become who he actually was. That’s not an "ex-wife" vibe. That’s a soulmate vibe, just in a different form.
Life After the Split: Where is Katie Katon Now?
While Chris moved to Hollywood and started working with JLo and the Kardashians, Katie stayed largely out of the spotlight. She didn't chase the fame. She stayed in Leicester and continued her career in the hair and leisure industry.
Public records show she has been involved with several businesses in the Leicester area, including Leicester Leisure Holdings Limited. She’s a businesswoman through and through.
She also seems to be the "glue" for their kids. If you look at Kitty-blu’s Instagram, she often posts about her mum being her best friend. They are clearly very close. While Chris is the glamorous dad flying them to private islands, Katie appears to be the steady, consistent presence back in the UK.
Why People Still Call Her the "Ex-Wife"
It’s mostly a search engine thing. When Chris married (and then quickly divorced) actor Lukas Gage, the media started digging into his past. "Ex-partner" doesn't sound as definitive as "ex-wife" to a casual reader.
Also, the fact that they share two grown children—Billy is now 23 and Kitty-blu is 21—gives their past relationship a weight that feels like a marriage. In every way that matters except for a piece of paper, they were a family unit.
The Dynamics of a Modern Co-Parenting Success
Honestly, what’s most impressive about the Appleton ex wife Katie Katon age and her role in his life is the lack of drama.
In a world where celebrity breakups are usually a nightmare of "sources say" and leaked texts, Katie and Chris have remained friends. Chris still calls her for advice. He credits her for being the first person he came out to and the person who gave him the courage to be himself.
There was no big legal battle. There were no public insults. Just two people who realized their romantic path had ended but their family path was just beginning.
Actionable Takeaways from Katie Katon’s Story
If you’ve been following this story, there are a few things we can actually learn from how Katie handled a very public and potentially painful situation:
✨ Don't miss: Is Liam Neeson Sick? What Really Happened With the Actor’s Health
- Privacy is a Choice: You don't have to be a public figure just because your ex is. Katie has maintained a private life despite her children and ex-partner having millions of followers.
- Support Over Spite: Choosing to support a partner through a difficult identity transition—like Chris coming out—builds a much stronger long-term bond than holding onto anger.
- Defining Family on Your Terms: You don't need a marriage certificate to have a successful, decades-long partnership or a functional co-parenting relationship.
The reality of Katie Katon is that she isn't just a footnote in a celebrity's biography. She’s a successful professional and a mother who helped shape one of the most influential figures in the beauty world today. While her age might be what gets people to click, her character is what actually makes the story worth reading.
To keep up with the family's journey, the best place is actually through their children's social media, where you'll occasionally see glimpses of the quiet, supportive life Katie has built away from the Hollywood cameras.